Brazil’s national team will not replay the World Cup qualifier against Argentina that was abandoned in September 2021 following a Corona scandal.
Brazilian federation CBF will accept a proposal to that effect from FIFA and Argentina’s AFA, a CBF statement said on Wednesday. The FIFA Appeals Committee had rejected the appeals of both countries in April and the pending match was scheduled for 22 September in Sao Paulo.
National coach Tite and national team coordinator Juninho Paulista had asked for the match not to be played, according to the CBF. It could have a detrimental effect on their World Cup preparations, for example due to injuries or suspensions. “Our priority is to win our sixth World Cup in Qatar,” CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said, according to the statement. “If the Seleção management does not recommend the match, we will work to ensure it does not take place. “
The match had first been interrupted after a few minutes in São Paulo on 5 September 2021 and then abandoned. At that point, officials from the health authority Anvisa had entered the pitch to remove three Argentine players from the pitch for allegedly violating the Corona regulations.
As a result, FIFA had initiated disciplinary proceedings against both national associations. Both CBF and AFA appealed against this decision.
Brazil and Argentina qualified for the World Cup in Qatar (21 November to 18 December) as first and second in South America.